Don't guess your backup power.
Calculate it.
The exact watts, surge, and battery size your home needs — computed from real appliance data and matched against every major power station's verified specs. No sponsored rankings. No guesswork.
Start with what you're protecting
😴 CPAP through the night
60W for 8 hours — a smaller battery than you think. One click sizes it.
⛈️ Sump pump in a storm
A surge problem first: 2,000W at motor start. Size the real load.
🚿 Well pump (240V)
Only 3 portable units qualify — see if you need one of them.
🏠 Fridge + essentials
The most common setup — ~330W. Cheaper to cover than most expect.
❄️ Winter (gas furnace)
500W of furnace blower beats 1,500W of space heater — see why.
💻 Work from home
Router + laptop + light is tiny — until the fridge joins. Size the bundle.
Prefer ranked picks by use case? Browse the Best-For guides →
This week's big matchups
EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra vs Anker SOLIX F3800 Plus
The Delta Pro Ultra wins on raw output (7,200W vs 6,000W), expansion ceiling (90kWh vs 26.
12 specs + runtime math →EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 vs EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra
Same brand, different jobs.
12 specs + runtime math →Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 vs EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus
Different classes: the Jackery has twice the capacity (2,042Wh vs 1,024Wh) and higher output; the EcoFlow recharges twice as fast and is expandable to 5kWh where the Jackery is sealed.
12 specs + runtime math →Bluetti Elite 200 v2 vs Jackery Explorer 2000 v2
Nearly identical capacity (2,073Wh vs 2,042Wh).
12 specs + runtime math →💰 The federal credit died. Your state might still pay.
25C/25D expired Dec 31, 2025. These programs didn't — funding status verified monthly:
$200/kWh standard Massachusetts
$225-$275 per kW enrolled, paid every year Connecticut
Up to $16,000 upfront + ongoing dispatch payments New York
$150-$250 per kWh upfront Vermont
Up to $10,500 per battery Maryland
30% state tax credit, capped at $5,000 Hawaii
$5,000+ in combined upfront and bill credits Colorado
Up to $8,000 HEAR + $2,250/ton Xcel + $1,000 state credit
Know your watts
Well Pump: 1,000WSump Pump: 800WRefrigerator: 150WCPAP Machine: 60WSpace Heater: 1,500WGas Furnace Blower: 500WWindow AC: 900WMicrowave: 1,500W
Frequently asked questions
What size battery do I need to back up my house?
Essentials-only backup (fridge, Wi-Fi, lights, phones) needs ~1,800W and 2-4kWh for a day-long outage. Add a well pump and you need 240V and 4kWh+. Whole-home is 10kWh+ installed-battery territory. Our calculator computes your exact number in 30 seconds.
Battery power station or gas generator?
Batteries run silently indoors with zero maintenance and recharge from solar; generators produce more sustained watts per dollar but need fuel, outdoor operation, and upkeep. For outages under 2 days, modern LFP batteries win for most homes; for week-long outages, many homes pair both.
Are there still tax credits for home batteries in 2026?
The federal 25D credit expired December 31, 2025 — but ten states still pay real money: up to $16,000 in Connecticut, $10,500 in Vermont, 30% up to $5,000 in Maryland. See our monthly-verified state tracker.